Career Profile

Sample Report

Career Orientation

There is a science behind finding the right job. Jobs are categorized by social scientists according to the proportion of time one spends working with people, data and things. When the task requirements of the job correspond to your preferences, you have a match.

Are you a People, Data or Things person… or some combination?

You like working with PEOPLE and DATA

What your career orientation says about you

People such as you, with a combined People/Data orientation, like to explain and understand how others think, feel and behave. You’re interested in relationships and in reflecting upon what motivates people. (If you had a talk show, interesting people from all walks of life would sit down next to you on the couch and reveal their innermost desires) You are probably not satisfied in understanding “what” and “how,” but need to know “why.” You truly want to understand human behavior.

The data you really enjoy working with is about people. You seek a deeper understanding. Many people with your orientation are drawn to public service, the arts, and the social sciences. They can also be found working creatively in areas as diverse as art, natural science and business. But the common thread is people and behavior. You may be the social scientist who performs experiments to analyze human behavior and social boundaries as they conduct transactions on the Web. Individuals with a People/Data orientation are also Philosophers, negotiators, international labor specialists, as well as university and college educators. It’s working where there is a social dimension that makes life interesting for you. Go ahead you social butterfly, your perfect work awaits…

Person-Job Fit

Ultimately, the careers that fit you best will be the “perfect match” in many dimensions. The ideal job will be interesting to you, it will utilize and expand on your abilities, and the work environment will fit with your personality.

Your Training Potentials

Your training potentials best predicts your likelihood of future success on the job. What does potential actually mean? It is the capacity for growth, development or coming into being.

Through your formal education and life experiences, you have already acquired a unique combination of skills. In order to determine your competitiveness for the different jobs out there, it's good to know your current skill level. It can also help you in setting your educational or training goals. But, before we look at your particular strengths, there are three things to keep in mind:

Just because you're good at something doesn't mean you like doing it.

Not all skills are needed for all jobs. A newspaper reporter, for example, must have excellent verbal ability to interview sources and compose articles. This same person probably doesn't need much mechanical/electrical ability to be a success. It's normal for each person to have a combination of strengths and weaknesses.

Your vocabulary is very good and you have the ability to communicate complex ideas. This will be an asset to you in any job you wish to pursue.

Numerical — this scale measures how well you learned basic math skills

For those of you who think that calculating Pi is as easy as pie…

Your mathematical ability is currently sufficient for most occupations. Whether or not you pursue additional mathematical training depends on the jobs to which you aspire. If you wish to pursue employment in fields such as engineering or computer programming, where advanced computation is required, you may have to improve your skills. On the other hand, if you are interested in areas such as counseling, theatre, or customer service where mathematics do not play as big a role, your current skill level is fine.

Abstractions — this measure is an indicator of your aptitude for solving problems

In Love with the Life of the Mind…

You have the desirable combination of being good at both concrete and abstract problem solving. Regardless of whether you're facing a problem in the physical, here-and-now, or need to concentrate on issues more hypothetical, you are up to the task. You have the potential to do very well academically.

Spatial-form — this scale measures how well you can perceive and mentally manipulate three-dimensional objects

Michelangelo claimed that he could actually “see” the form of his sculpture in the raw marble. His job was simply to release the figure…

Your ability to perceive things in three dimensions is developed at an early age and it is very difficult to improve this ability if you don’t already have it. You may be interested in jobs where this ability is important, such as such as deciphering a blueprint, controlling air traffic, or sewing a garment, but you may also find it is harder for you to compete in these fields.

Mechanical / Electrical— this scale measures aptitude for learning to construct, operate and repair machinery and understanding how physical forces act on or influence objects

Tell me dahling; have you ever programmed a VCR???

While you have no problems working the copy machine, and can probably program the VCR, you may find it difficult to work with complex machinery and equipment. When you evaluate careers, keep in mind that you'll probably be more satisfied if the technology you are required to use on the job is user friendly.

Well, yes, my desk is messy… I’ve been told that it’s a sign of genius!

You're good at editing reports, alphabetizing, filing, and organizing. These skills are a valuable asset in the job marketplace since many occupations -- even those outside the traditional clerical realm -- require a certain degree of organization. Detectives, nurses, creative writers and financial managers must all apply organizing skills to be successful on the job. Given your abilities in this area, you can feel confident looking at any occupation in which organizing information is a regular task.

Your Work Styles

Your strongest preferences are:

Directing

Sociability

Working under Pressure

Self-Expression

In the last section we explored your skills and abilities. We addressed the basic question, “What jobs can I do?” In the following section, your work style preferences, we conquer the next part of the career equation, “What jobs will I enjoy?” Although your skills are the single most powerful predictor of job success, a job that matches your personal style is likely to make you feel comfortable and challenged — in other words, you'll like it more.

Why is this so important? One, big reason. While you can usually improve your skills, it's nearly impossible to change your style. For instance, if you're not so good with numbers, you could take classes and do practice problems to improve this skill. On the other hand, if you like working with people and hate being alone, there's very little you can do to change it. You won’t be happy working on your own on an isolated, mountain hilltop no matter how well your skills fit the job description.

So let’s talk about your style. Do you like clear instructions before you start a task, or do you like to figure it out for yourself? Do you like to rely on your hunches and instincts, or do you prefer to stick to the cold, hard facts? Let’s find out.

Versatility and Repetitive Work Cycles

The first two style categories are interrelated. Versatility measures how well you like an unstructured, unpredictable work environment, and how you might like juggling a wide variety of tasks.

Jobs usually involve many responsibilities that repeat themselves in cycles. You complete one project and then you start another. Repetitive Work Cycles measures how much time you like to spend on each project or task. It also measures the extent to which you need your work environment to be marked by a high degree of predictability and structure.

Your ideal work environment will have structure, guidelines and boundaries but also some flexibility within those boundaries. While you can handle juggling multiple work priorities, you also don't mind a little routine in your day. Neither really takes precedence. Therefore, as you evaluate jobs, make sure you avoid the extremes. You'll be bored silly by a job that's all repetition, but too many tasks hitting you from all directions will make you feel like nothing's getting done.

Specific Instructions — this measures how much you like working under strict policies, procedures, guidelines and supervision

You dislike working under someone else's direction. You prefer making your own decisions - and your own mistakes - and being responsible for your work.

Directing — this preference is for planning, controlling, and organizing the work of others. Or, being resourceful, independent, self-directed or decisive on the job. It may indicate a desire to be the manager, foreman, or supervisor. In other words, to be the boss!

Your score indicates that you would enjoy occupations in which you plan, direct, control the work of others, or are independent, self-motivated and resourceful. You should avoid jobs where you can never plan your own work or where you would never have the opportunity to supervise or manage others.

Sociability and Solitude

These two items should be considered together. Sociability is the extent to which working with other people is perceived as being conducive to a positive work environment. Solitude looks at preferences for working alone, without interruption.

You prefer working with others. Too much solitude, and you'll start feeling bored and confined. Though you may need a few hours of peace and quiet on the job, the majority of your day should be spent working in a team, attending meetings, or interacting with the public. As you evaluate potential work environments, make sure to get a good description of the average workday. Avoid jobs that require more than an hour or two of work in isolation on most days.

Influencing — measures how much you like to debate, discuss, persuade, convince, and even argue with others

When it comes to conflict and debate on the job, you take a middle-of-the-road approach. You pick and choose which battles to fight, jumping into the fray only when an issue seems important enough. On the other hand, when you disagree with a decision, statement or policy, if it's really no big deal, you can easily let it slide. Since influencing is not a big component of your personal work style, you should probably avoid high-conflict or ultra-competitive environments.

Working under Pressure — measures how much you need deadlines in order to be sufficiently motivated to work

On the job, you enjoy having deadlines and timetables. You tend to work on most things at the last minute. In fact, if a task lands on your desk without a deadline, you may relegate it to the end of your To Do list indefinitely. You prefer working under pressure, and probably derive a certain amount of satisfaction by remaining calm and in control when confronted with stressful or difficult situations.

Intuition and Objectivity

These scores, Intuition and Objectivity, work together. Both are measures of how much an individual likes making decisions.

Valuative decision makers enjoy making decisions based on hunches, intuition, and how they feel about a situation as it is occurring.

Objective decision makers, on the other hand, prefer to base their decisions on facts, data, and information that can be verified. Objective decision makers may use the scientific method to solve problems, whereas valuative decision makers will feel more comfortable using their own ideas and feelings about the subject.

Your scores are both in the "neutral" range, which means you have no preference for either being intuitive and using hunches (Valuative) or working with data and facts (Objective). You would probably enjoy a position that lets you do both, but not a position in which you are required to use one of these traits exclusively.

Subjective — this measures how much you like being creative, self-expressive or artistic on the job

People who prefer being subjective like using their own imagination in problem solving, coming up with new strategies, planning their work, and dealing with people and situations. Subjective people are frequently artists, musicians, actors, etc., but many people in non-artistic positions are also often subjective. For example, school teachers have to present their material in a creative way; advertising workers need to use their imaginations, as do public speakers, sales workers, politicians, counselors, cosmetologists, etc.

Your score indicates that you like being subjective and would be unhappy if you had no creative outlet on the job. You should try to select a position or work environment that encourages creativity and imagination.

Rigorous — this measures how much an individual likes paying close attention to details

Those who like being rigorous enjoy checking and rechecking their work to make sure they have done it correctly. They feel comfortable working under strict rules or regulations, procedures, etc., and don't mind looking for misplaced decimals, misspelled words, or other errors in their work. Individuals who like being rigorous probably enjoy highly mathematical or technical work. Those who dislike being rigorous avoid work that is too detailed or specific. They are unhappy if they have to check and recheck their work, watch dials or machinery, or have rigid rules and regulations to follow on a daily or hourly basis. These individuals should avoid such jobs.

Your score indicates that you feel neutral about being rigorous, which means that sometimes you will want to be very careful with your work, while at other times you will not want to have to worry about being careful. For this reason, you should avoid jobs that demand that you be constantly rigorous and should also avoid jobs that never expect you to be rigorous. You should look for a happy medium.

The above work style preferences should be considered as guidelines in selecting positions or careers that will maximize your enjoyment in your work. Please note that these are only preferences for your work-related behavior. You may like to manage others, for example, but not be very good at it. Or, you may dislike paying close attention to details but do it very well! Therefore, you should carefully consider this information before using it to select an occupation or a course of study.

Your Self-Selected Choices

OCCUPATIONAL AREAS

Medicine, Law, Education, Religion, Library, Counseling

Business, Accounting, Bookkeeping

BEST liKED SUBJECTS

Physical Education or Health

Business or Distributive

Your Career Interests

The following are your measured Career Interest Activities. These reflect your preferences for activities related to each of the career areas.

The highest measured Career Interest Areas provide the foundation on which the below job recommendations are based.

Areas you are interested in are Public Service, Business Relations, Managerial and Sales

You should be sure to investigate these career areas. (Be sure to remember that you may have scored high in an area even though you are not suited to it.)

Areas you are neutral about are The Sciences, The Arts and Service

Areas you are not interested in are Engineering & Related, Clerical, Primary Outdoor, Structural Work and Mechanical & Electrical

Your Career Matches

The jobs recommended to you in this report are being recommended on the basis of your scores in all completed sections of the inventory. They are suggestions to be considered only after you have thoroughly researched them. Just because a job is recommended does not mean it will be a perfect fit. It only means there is a better than average chance you will enjoy the job, find it interesting, and succeed in it, based on your responses.

O*NET™ is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor,
Employment and Training Administration.

Together, the military services of the United States make up the country's largest employer. A wide range of employment and training opportunities are available in the military, and you may wish to consider one of them as a career possibility. Further information about military careers can be obtained through local recruiting offices for each service, or see Job Opportunities in the Armed Forces at Occupational Outlook Handbook's website.

Career Exploration

The job recommendations listed above are suggested for your job exploration. Each recommendation is linked to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. The Handbook is a nationally recognized source of career information designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives. Revised every two years by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Handbook describes what workers do on the on the job, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings, related occupations, and expected job prospects in a wide range of occupations. The Handbook references O*NET™ codes and thus can be used with O*NET OnLine to further to help you explore your job recommendations as well as other jobs related to those specific areas. You may also want to research information about jobs you may have thought about, but are not included in the recommended list. In addition to O*NET™ and Occupational Outlook Handbook, many other occupational references are available. We encourage you to take advantage of these resources in order to explore your career possibilities to the fullest extent.